How one youth transformed in STOP - a story to share!
Anna says: “Thanks to STOP, I’m being the change I want to see in my school.”
Hello!
Will you take a couple minutes to hear the story of one of our youth members?
Anna started school on the South Side but moved away. In her junior year of high school, she moved back here to live with and take care of her grandmother. Anna enrolled in Hyde Park Academy, Woodlawn’s public high school. It was a difficult time in her life; she was quiet and trying to fit in. But our youth organizer at the time (Yanni, herself a former youth member!) invited her to an open mic STOP youth were hosting, and Anna gave one of her first performances!
The years since have continued to challenge Anna. She has lost relatives in neighborhood conflicts, and had to work her way through college while keeping her grandmother safe from the pandemic. But she has persisted in STOP’s youth program, learning to organize and, amidst the George Floyd protests, shifting from studying criminal justice to restorative justice.
At our open mic six years ago, Anna was so nervous, she brought a peer on stage with her. But she’s now an artist, performing around the country. Also she’s an entrepreneur, starting a clothing line.
AND, she is our first-ever restorative-justice coordinator, supporting a new school-safety plan that replaces one of the school police officers at her old high school with a Dean of Culture and Climate – a victory STOP youth won last summer.
Anna says: “Thanks to STOP, I’m being the change I want to see in my school.”
As Chicago debates teens’ safety and our country debates school safety, will you donate or spread the word about our youth and all of our organizing?
With your support, we can develop a new generation of students like Anna in both community organizing and restorative justice, during our six-week summer organizing training. These youth will canvass their community to build support for truly safe schools.
Can you make a monthly contribution of $5 or more, or a one-time donation of $50 or more? Your contribution provides the flyers, phones, and transportation we need to reach our community. You can contribute at stopchicago.org/donate or make out a check to “Southside Together Organizing for Power” at 602 E 61st St, Chicago, IL 60637.
Or can you forward, link, or share this story with a friend?
As we launch our summer, thank you for your commitment. Together, we can make this time transformative.
Mike Scott
STOP treasurer, and South Side school aide
PS Our new fiscal year and annual budget begin July 1. Will you donate or spread the word today, so we can start the year strong?